Pump.



No. 784.773. PATENTED MAR. 14, 1905. A. A. BALL, JR.

PUMP.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 10.1903.

Ir1\/e who r qugustus 04. Ba! ldr UNITED STATES Patented March 14, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUSTUS A. BALL, JR, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY

MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A (JOB- PORATION OF NEWYORK.

PUMP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 784,773, dated March 11905. Application filed August 10, 1903. Serial No. 168,922.

f0 (til whom it 711/11, concern:

Be it known that I, AUGUSTUS A. BALL, Jr., a citizen of the UnitedStates,residing at Lynn, county of Essex, State of Massachusetts, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Pumps, of which thefollowing is a specification.

The efliciency of a pump depends upon certain factors, among which valveleakage is of vital importance. The output is directly dependent uponthe action of the valves, and to obtain the maximum delivery of whichthe pump is capable the valves should open or close simultaneously withor slightly in advance of the change of stroke of the plunger. Incertain classes of pumps this condition does not exist, because of theindependent action of the valves, and consequently there exists acertain lag in their action relatively to theplunger, tending to producea partial vacuum at the beginning of the suction-stroke and a leakage offluid at the beginning of the discharge-stroke of the plunger. This timeelement or lag is particularly emphasized at high speeds, because thevalves, due to conflict of their changing inertia between the strokes,do not respond quickly to the action of the plunger, and in this mannerthe efliciency of the pumps is much reduced.

My invention relates more especially to high-speed pumps, and has forits principal object to increase their efficiency.

A further object of my invention is to provide a simple means forsupporting and alining the pumps, whereby they can be installed orremoved with a minimum expenditure of labor. I also arrange them in suchmanner that the valves and connections are readily cylinder. I find itdesirable to so proportion the parts that the amount of fluid thusindrawn forms a substantial part of the total volume discharged at eachdelivery-stroke. For convenience I term this the major or principalsuction-stroke. The plunger is connected to a rod or tube of substantialcrosssection which passes through a suitable packing, so that when theplunger is on the return stroke the cubical contents of the cylinderwill be further increased by an amount corresponding to the displacementof that portion of the rod or tube which passes from the cylinder. Fromthis it follows that as the displacement of the rod is decreased bymoving it outwardly a corresponding amount of liquid is indrawn into thecylinder, and this I term the minor suction-stroke. l have found thepump to work satisfactorily when two-thirds of the charge is indrawn onthe major suction-stroke and one-third on the minor; but I do not limitmyself to this or any other specific relation.

In order to hold the charge in the cylinder while the plunger is movingbackward and its actuating rod or tube is moving outwardly, a valve ismounted in the plunger, which is positively opened and closed at aperiod when the plunger is practically idle ri. e, at the end of theforward stroke and the beginning of the backward stroke. The opening andclosing of the valve is accomplished positively by the rod or tube, andthe latter is connected to the plunger through a lost-motion connection.At or about the instant the valve is opened the piston starts on itsreturn stroke and the charge is transferred from one side of the pistonto the other. \Vhen the return stroke is completed, the valve closes andthen the discharge-stroke begins.

In order to prevent the pump from being air-locked, which is a commontrouble in pumps and more especially in those designed for high-speedwork, I dispense with the usual clearance between the end of thecylinder and the plunger and make the parts lit snugly when the latteris at the end of its stroke.

1 have made careful tests with various types of displacement, doublevalve, and other pumps of ordinary construction havinganinesiXteenths-inch bore and a one-inch stroke, and at fifteen hundredstrokes per minute the delivery for the best of them was about onehundred and eighty pounds per hour. I then tested a pump of my improvedconstruction havingthe same bore and length of stroke. At low speeds theoutput of the pump was about the same as that of the ordinary pumpspreviously referred to; but at fifteen hundred strokes per minute theoutput increased to about eight hundred pounds per hour. Intermediatespeeds gave corresponding results; but the di fference became, moremarked as the speed increased.

I assign two principal reasons for the efliciency of my improved pumpover prior existing structures first, that the suction-valve ispositively opened and closed by the plunger-rod; second, thatpractically double the length of time is provided in which the cylindercan fill. I also think that mounting the suction-valve in the plunger asdescribed has its advantages, owing to the fact that the passage for thefluid is relatively unrestricted and free from objectionable bends andturns.

The novel features of construction and combination of parts will be morefully described hereinafter and finally pointed out in the claims. Inthe accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a, front view of an assemblage ofpumps embodying my invention, one of the pumps beingshown in section.Fig. 2 is a section on line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view. Figs. 4and 5 are transverse sections, respectively, on lines 4 4 and 5 5, Fig.1, drawn on an enlarged scale; and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of mypreferred form of packing for the plunger and plunger-rod.

In the equipment of an automobile it is desirable to have the variousdevices that comprise the power system readily accessible for thepurpose of inspection, removal, or repair. Particularly in a steam-powersystem wherein a number of pumps are employed a simple means forsupporting the pumps is likewise advantageous. To this end the pumps arearranged in such a manner that they constitute a unitary structure whichcan be readily installed and removed, as the means for supporting thesame on the vehicle-frame is correspondingly simplified. In the drawingsthree pumps are shown, this number being sufl'icient to illustrate thepreferred embodiment of the invention and such as is adapted for anautomobile steam system. These are employed separately as the water,fuel, and air pumps.

The pumps (indicated by numeral 1) are arranged on a supporting-rod 2.Each pump has cast integral with its casing rearwardlyextending eye-lugs3, one at each end thereof, and by means of these eye-lugs the pumps arethreaded on the supporting-rod 2. The pumps may be arranged according toany desired combination, singly or in pairs, on the supporting-rod. Asshown, two of the pumps are arranged together and the other pump isdisposed centrally above them directly in front of the supporting-rod.hen the pumps are grouped in pairs, the eye-lugs 3 are disposedlaterally at an angle, Fig. 3, so that when assembled on thesupporting-rod the pumps are suitably spaced apart to permit connectionbetween the upper pump and the actuating means to be hereinafterexplained.

The supporting-rod is secured at its ends in brackets4 and 5. Thebracket 4 is bolted to a portion of the underframe of the vehicle, andthe upper end of the supporting-rod engages in an eye 6 of the bracket.The bracket 5 is sleeved upon a shaft 7, mounted in a suitable manner onthe underframe. In an eye 8 of the bracket 5 the lower end of thesupporting-rod is screwed and pinned or otherwise secured. The eye-lugsof one lower pump rest upon those of the other, and the eye 8 of thebracket 5 forms a bearing for the lowermost of the eye-lugs. A sleeve 9is loosely threaded on the pillar between the lower eyelug of the upperpump and the uppermost eye-lugs of the lower pumps and forms a spacingmember. A sleeve 10 is assembled on the upper end of the pillar betweenthe eye 6 of the bracket4 and nearest lug of the upper pump, and the nut11, screwed on the end of the pillar, jams the intermediate pumps andsleeves together between the eyes of the brackets, forming thereby arigid structure.

A cross-head 12 forms a common connection for the plunger-rods 13 of allthe pumps. It consists of a plate 14 and a central member 15, integralwith the plate. The plate is provided with two perforations 16 in linewith the axes of the lower pumps. These perforations are tapped and intothem the ends of the plunger-rods of the lower pumps screw, the latterbeing screw -'threaded for this purpose. Nuts 17 serve the obviousfunction of locking the rods in the plate. The plate 14 thus forms ayoke for the plungerrods of the lower pumps. The upper end of thecentral member 15 of the cross-head is bored and tapped, and theplunger-rod of the upper pump screws into the same. A locknut 18,carried on the upper plungerrod, screws down to impinge upon the endsurface of the central member, providing thereby a locking connection.The cross-head is guided by the supporting-rod 2, so that perfectalinement or parallelism is provided between the plunger-rods of thepumps. For this purpose the lower end of the supporting-rod projectsbelow the eye of the bracket 5, and the plate is formed with a bored lugor eye 19, which engages the lower end of the supportingrod, which actsas a guide. The upper end of the central member is also provided withaguidelug 20, which engages the supporting-rod, and is adapted to movebetween the eye-lugs 3 of the lower pumps, as will be clearly understoodby inspection of Fig. 2. A depending lug 21 is formed on the plate ofthe crosshead, and this affords connection with a suitable actuatingmeans. This latter comprises a bell-crank lever 22, arod 23 connectingone arm of the same, preferably with the crosshead of the engine of thevehicle or to any suitable motive device, and the other arm of thebell-crank lever is connected by a link 24 with the depending lug 21.The bell-crank lever is fulcrumed on the shaft 7, and by the oscillatingmotion which it receives through the connecting-rod 23 rectilinearreciprocating motion is imparted to the cross-head, and consequently tothe plungers of the pumps.

The pumps are shown to be of similar construction, and therefore thedetail description of the section shown in Fig. 1 will apply to theother pumps.

The pump-casing 25 is a casting which is formed with a suction-chamber26, a discharge-cham ber 27 and a plunger-cylinder 28 intermediate ofthe chambers. The suctionehamber and plunger-cylinder are bored out inthe casing, the former being of larger diameter than the latter. Theplunger-cylinder has a finished bore to provide a true surface for aclose moving fitof a pump-plunger 29. Between the plunger-cylinder andthe discharge-chamber is an annular flange 30, which forms the head ofthe cylinder and is provided with a central discharge opening or port31, through which fluid is transmitted from the plunger-cylinder to thedischargechamber. The end or head of the plunger is adapted to seatagainst this flange at the end of the discharge or in stroke in orderthat all fluid in front of the plunger will discharge, there being,therefore,no clearance. The head of the plunger is preferably turned offsquare, or it may be otherwise formed, if desired. In either case theannular flange or head is shaped to correspond with the form of theplunger-head in order to do away with clearance to render the pumping ofcompressible fluids possible.

The casing 25 is provided with an inlet-passage 32 and adischarge-passage 33, and bosses 34 are cast at these passages. Thesebosses are exteriorly threaded to afford connection, respectively, witha supply-pipe 35 and a discharge-pipe 36. Coupling-nuts 37 are screwedon the bosses and serve to connect the pipes with the pump. The coupledends of the pipes are circumferentially flanged to provide means bywhich the coupling-nuts engage the pipes and jam the ends thereofagainst the bosses to form tight joints.

The plunger is a cylindrical shell having an opening at each end, andthe transfer of fluid from the suction to the discharge-cham- The end ofthe plunger-rod 13 cooperates with the plunger in such a manner as topermit of the plunger acting as a valve in addition to its function as apiston. Thehead of the plunger has a central suction opening or port 38,which registers with the dischargeport 31. At this opening 38 is aconical seat 39, and the end of the plunger-rod is likewise conical ordisk shaped to form a valve that snugly fits the seat. The plungerrod isadapted to have a slight play independently of the plunger, so as toprovide for the positive opening and closing of the suctionopening 38 atthe reversing of the strokes of the plunger-rod. This limited movementof the plunger-rod relatively to the plunger is obtained by looselyattaching the plunger to the rod. The inlet end of the plunger isprovided with a semi-annular lip 40, and this engages between twoannular shoulders 41 on the plunger-rod. These shoulders are suitablyspaced apart, so that the independent movement of the plunger-rod willpositively open or close the suction-port in the head of the plunger atthe change of strokes and still not materially affect the effectivestroke of the plunger by the slight lost motion of the rod.

The diameter of the plunger-rod is much smaller than the bore of thehollow plunger, and. in order to guide the plunger-rod relatively inaxial alinemen't with the plunger radial guide-lugs 42, Fig. 4, areformed on the plunger-rod adjacent the valve portion thereof, these lugshaving a sliding bearing upon the inner surface of the plunger and beingsuitably spaced apart, so as to permit a free passage of fluid throughthe plunger.

A packing 43 is provided for the plunger, and, as shown in Fig. 6, thepreferred form is a continuous ring of soft compressible metal, such asbabbitt. This packing is placed under compression by a gland-ring 44,which screws into an interiorly-threaded portion of the casing at theinlet end of the plungercylinder. This form of packing is particu larlyadapted to the use for which it is designed, as it affords a tight anduniform seal around the plunger, yet one that offers slight friction tothe reciprocating parts. The pl Linger-rod is also provided with aring-packing of babbitt. This ring 45 is arranged in a stuffing-box 46,and a gland 47 serves to ob' tain the proper degree of compression ofthe packing.

On the discharge side of the internal annular flange 30 is a ball-valvethat closes the discharge-port 31 while the suction-valve of the plungeris open, as during the suction-stroke of the pump. A ball 48, aspring-actuated follower 49, and a screw plug or cap 50 comprise theparts of the ball-valve. The screw plug or cap 50 is provided with abore at its inner end in which is contained the follower 49 and a spring51 for actuating the same.

here takes place through the plunger itself. 1 The ball readily unseatsby the pressure of the fluid at the discharge-stroke and immediatelyreseats under the action of its spring at the beginning of thesuction-stroke.

The upper pump is preferably the air-pump and is shown without theherein-described packing and stufling-box for the plunger rod, it beingimmaterial in the air-pump what sort of packing is employed.

It will be apparent from the above description that the pumps have thesame throw by reason of their connection with the cross-head common tothem all. The plunger-rods are individually adjustable, so that theproper relation of the end of the plunger to the discharge-ports can beobtained. In other words, the plunger-rods may be so adjusted in thecross-head that in all the pumps there will be a minimum of clearance.

Taking up the operation of the pump, consider the plunger, as shown inthe section of Fig. 1, to be in a position when the suctionstroke isabout to occu r. The d ischarge-stroke has been completed, and theball-valve is closed. At the beginning of the suction-stroke theplunger-rod moves a slight distance outwardly independently of theplunger until the lip at the inlet end of the plunger engages a shoulderof the plunger-rod. This independent or lost movement of the rodpositively removes the valve at its end from the suction-port of the1.)lunger, or, in other words, opens the suctionvalve. As the outstrokecontinues after the lip of the plunger engages the outermost shoulder ofthe rod, the plunger and plungerrod move together as one device. Thehollow of the plunger and suction-chamber are filled with fluid, and asthe plunger moves outwardly the fluid is transferred through thesuction-valve, the plunger scooping, in a sense, the fluid. During thissuction-stroke the fluid that is transferred through the plunger fillsthe space in front of the latter, and the ball-valve serves to retainthe transferred fluid therein until the discharge or in stroke of theplunger occurs. Now after the limit of the suction-stroke has beenreached reversal takes place. Again there is an initial movement of theplunger-rod independently of the plunger. By means of this thesuction-valve is closed, and thus the plunger becomes virtually asolidheaded plunger. Upon the continuance of the discharge or in strokethe pressure of the fluid in front of the plunger overcomes the tensionof the ballvalve, and thereby outlet is afforded for the fluid as theplunger advances. The fluid is forced out of the plunger-cylinder byreason, as hereinbefore stated, of there being no clearance for theplunger. Simultaneously with the instroke suction of fluid into thesuctionchamber occurs to take the place of the advancing plunger. Thismay be considered as the main suction of the pump; but a minor suctionof fluid takes place durlng the outstroke of the plunger. This latter isoccasioned by the displacement of that portion of the plunger-rod whichwithdraws from the pump-easing at the outstroke. In other words, theminor suction of fluid is equivalent to the cubical contents of theportion of the plungerrod that withdraws.

It will be noted that the action of the suction-valve is positive incharacter by reason of the positive motion of the plunger-rod andplunger, which are virtually the suction-valve as well as the pumpingmember of the pump, and the pump is thus adapted for high-speedoperation. The pump thus operates on a double-suction andsingle-discharge cycle, and by reason of the minor suction of fluidsupplementing the main suction the pump is enabled to deliver itsmaximum output atall times whether running at low or high speeds.

The pump is equally adaptable for pumping air, gas, or liquid, and inthe case of liquids the tendency to become air-locked is reduced to aminimum.

In order to avoid destructive stress upon the lips of the plungers asthey alternately engage the shoulders of the plunger-rods, the reversalof strokes of the pumps is arranged to be simultaneous with the periodthrough which the actuating mechanism passes through the dead-centers.Another important advantage derived from the change in strokes occurringat the time of passing through the dead-centers is that the rectilinearmovement of the rod at such times is relatively slow compared with therotative movement of the actuating mechanism. This permits the suctionvalve to remain open a sui'ficient period of time to enable a fullcharge of fluid to pass through the valve before closing, as wouldotherwise likely occur when operating at high speeds.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes I havedescribed the principles of operation of my invention, together with theapparatus which I now consider to be the best embodiment thereof; but Idesire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is onlyillustrative and that the invention can be carried out by other means.

I/Vhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States, is

1. In a pump, the combination of a cylinder, a plunger working thereinwithout substantial clearance between them, inlet and discharge ports, arod which is connected to the plunger through a lost-motion connection,and a valve at the head of the plunger which is positively actuated bythe rod for controlling the transfer of fluid from one side of theplunger to the other.

2. In a pump, the combination of a cylinder, a plunger which works inthe cylinder without clearance, a valve in the head of the plunger whichcontrols the passage of fluid through the latter, and a rod whichactuates the plunger and positively opens and closes the valve.

3. In a pump, the combination of a casing provided with suction anddischarge chambers and a plunger-cylinder intermediate the same,

a hollow plunger having a suction-port at one end, a plunger-rod whichextends into the plunger from the end opposite to that of thesuction-port, a valve at the end of the rod adapted to open and closethe suction-port, and an outwardly-opening discharge-valve in thedischarge-chamber.

4. In a pump, the combination of a casing provided with suction anddischarge chambers and a plunger-cylinder intermediate the same, ahollow plunger having an inlet-opening at one end and a suction-port atthe opposite end, a plunger-rod which extends through the plunger fromthe inlet end thereof and adapted to move independently of the plungerat the beginning of each stroke, a valve on the end of the plunger-rodfor opening and closing the suction-port by the independent movement ofthe rod, and a valve in the discharge-chamber.

5. In a pump, the combination of a casing provided with suction anddischarge chambers and a plunger-cylinder intermediate the chambers, ahollow plunger having an inlet-opening at one end and a suction-port atthe opposite end or head, an internal annular flange between thedischarge-chamber and plungercylinder forming a seat for the head of theplunger and having a discharge-port registering with the suction-port, aplunger-rod adapted to open and close the suction-port, and aspring-actuated valve controlling the discharge-port.

6. In a pump, the combination of a casing, 4 a hollow plunger providedwith an inlet-opening at one end and a suction-port at the opposite end,a lip formed at the inlet end of the plunger, a plunger-rod extendinginto the plunger through the inlet end thereof, a valvedisk formed atthe end of the plunger-rod, adapted to open and close the suction-port,and spaced shoulders provided on the plunger-rod and adapted toalternately engage the lip of the plunger.

7. In a pump, the combination of a casing, a hollow plunger providedwith an inlet-opening at one end and a suction-port at the opposite end,a plunger-rod extending into the hollow plunger, a valve on the end ofthe plunger-rod adapted to open and close the suction-port, meanspermitting a partial movement of the plunger-rod independently of theplunger for operating the suction-valve, and guide-lugs at the valve endof the plungerrod engaging the inner wall of the plunger.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 7th day of August,1903.

AUGUSTUS A. BALL, JR.

Witnesses:

DUGALD MoK. MoKiLLor, CHATTIN BRADWAY.

